Theis looks forward to ''home-home'' game with Germany against Austria this summer

HAGEN (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Daniel Theis may not be playing in Germany's up-coming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers against Austria but he is looking forward to being on hand at the "home-home" game in Braunschweig. 

Theis, who is coming off his rookie season with the NBA's Boston Celtics, did not appear in the first two windows and is set to miss the third one as he still is recovering from a torn knee meniscus which has sidelined since March.

But the 26-year-old is anxiously looking forward to being on hand come Friday against Austria as it will be played at the Volkswagen Halle in Braunschweig.

"I'm excited to see the national team play near my hometown," said Theis, who hails from Salzgitter, which is located about 20 kilometers from Braunschweig. "It's great that an official game, as part of the European Qualifiers for the World Cup, takes place here and others are held in some of the other cities across the country."

"THAT'S HOME-HOME FOR ME AND DENNIS (SCHRODER). IT'S SOMETHING SPECIAL."Theis

The game against Austria will also have special meaning to Germany star Dennis Schroder, who actually is from Braunschweig.

"That's home-home for me and Dennis. It's something special," Theis said.

Theis and Schroder both played for Braunschweig's professional team early in their careers. 

Having played a major role at FIBA EuroBasket 2017 - he averaged 10.9 points and 6.3 rebounds - Theis is looking forward to playing for Germany in September, when the Second Round of Qualifiers get underway. 

"Playing for the national team is very important for me and I hope to play in the Qualifiers in September," he said.

Germany enter the third window with a perfect 4-0 mark in Group G and with their place in the Second Round guaranteed. However, they must be careful about looking past winless Austria as the huge showdown with second placed Serbia, who are 3-1 ahead of their Qualifiers at Georgia on June 29 and at home against Germany on July 2.

Austria and Germany have a bit of a neighborly rivalry as Theis recalled.

"It's a small rivalry," he said. "We have been playing against Austria for the last few years in qualifiers every time."

"We have had good games with them," Theis said. "It's not like it's bad blood, but there is always a little fire in that game."

"A little fire" and the "home-home" crowd - there are plenty of reasons for Theis to look forward to this Qualifiers matchup with Austria - even if he can't play.

FIBA